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Same-sex couples in the military also will not be able to bury their partners at Arlington National Cemetery or be granted a waiver to live in a foreign country during an overseas deployment. Pentagon officials said they’re reviewing the legalities with the cemetery, which only allows spouses to be buried, and reviewing Status of Forces Agreements with host nations to see if same-sex couples would legally be protected.

Service members have until October to apply the new benefits and do not need any proof of marriage. But officials said anyone found lying about their same-sex status would be prosecuted.

Officials said housing was a sticking point for many married service members who said in a recent anonymous survey they were concerned about being bumped for housing by couples who were not married.

“One of the concerns was, ‘I’m married and now I’m going to be bumped by someone who’s not married,’” a defense official said. “It can be perceived as unfair, and that’s a concern.”

Officials pointed out, however, the survey showed the same concern over child care benefits and that has been extended to same-sex couples under this decision. And they hope to include housing benefits after some guidance from the Supreme Court decision.

“It is not off the table,” one official said.

A favorable ruling could open up these benefits for the partners of about 5,600 active-duty personnel, 3,400 guard and reserve and about 8,000 retired service members.

This article first appeared on POLITICO Pro at 2:46 p.m. on February 11, 2013.